Grateful Dead

August 18 - August 24, 2008

This week we have a nice double dose of Pigpen from 1968, a massive 1972 jam, and a very cool 1991 sequence, all fitting into our date-appropriate this-week-in-Grateful Dead-recorded-history format.

First up, from the Fillmore West in San Francisco, we have the show closer and encore from 8/21/68, consisting of Lovelight and Midnight Hour. Lovelight wasn't yet the 25+ minute tune it would become in 1969, but it was a big show-stopper nonetheless. And Midnight Hour was becoming more and more rare throughout 1968 and into 1969, so a nice, meaty version like this is certainly a treat. There isn't a lot of 1968 material in the vault, but fortunately what IS there is very good, so it's our pleasure to bring this to you here at the Tapers Section.

Next up, from exactly four years later on 8/21/72, just over the Bay Bridge (or the Golden Gate Bridge and Richmond Bridge if you feel like taking the long way through Marin County), at the Berkeley Community Theatre, we have the big second set jam featuring Dark Star>El Paso>Dark Star>Deal. This was the second annual August run of shows at BCT for the Grateful Dead, a tradition that unfortunately did not continue past these shows in 1972. The Grateful Dead did return to BCT until the six night run in 1984, which, of course, featured the first-ever Tapers Section, so the BCT certainly does hold special meaning to all tapers, and to this, the cyber version of the Tapers Section.

Lastly this week, from about 19 years later on 8/18/91, just back across the Bay Bridge and south a bit, we have the pre-Drums sequence from Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, featuring the very unique sequence of Deal>Mississippi Half-Step>Feel Like A Stranger>Samson and Delilah. Like the pre-Drums sequence from 6/20/91 at Pine Knob, this jam really threw the format book out the window. Whether it was Bruce Hornsby's influence (he really excelled at these Pine Knob and Shoreline shows) or the band just decided to make it interesting on themselves, it sure was a welcome change to hear the band have fun with song sequences again.

Be sure to check back in next week when we'll have more cool music for you. As always, feel free to write the email address below with questions or comments.

I agree, the tension that develops between Jerry attempting to tease in Morning Dew, and the rest of the band adamantly fighting/ignoring that direction, causes some very interesting music to happen in that 72 Dark Star. Those are the moments that make the whole thing worth it. Probably no one was more surprised than they were.

That Phil / bela horsnby etc etc etc lineup would ve definitely been an intriguing musical project to execute . How come those REALLY worthy productions trake so much time , and sometimes never . To evolve ?

Thanks once again for digging up some tasty treats for us yet again. I really enjoyed the Dark Star sequence - utterly trippy.

Thanks as well to "mastorna" who posted that sweet video from Tommy TV(?!) of Jerry playing with Bruce's band which, interestingly, not only included the legendary Bela Fleck on banjo but the one and only John Molo on drums (long-time PL&F drummer). Man, what a line-up! Can you imagine that group touring now, doing a mixture of Dead tunes, Bruce tunes, and bluegrass/folk? What a wet dream!

Oce again David, you've chosen some really good examples, in good lovin and midnight hour both, where Pigpen is driving the lyrics and pace, and Jerry is just cut loose, and free to fill in the gaps, exhibiting some amazing underlying guitar work.

early 1972 is also provides some of these combinations. Listening today to "Ladies & Gentlemen, The Grateful Dead," and really enjoying the pigpen/jerry peanut butter & jelly sandwiches (btw - i can't find it on this on the website, under MUSIC/Live shows)

I just wanted to thank you for the great wealth of music you ' bless ' us with . I ve been checking out the Spring , and summer TS s from last year - 2007 - and there s jaw dropping material that elevates my - and others probably as well - days and nights .

You sometimes repeat stuff , but that s a small insignificant detail that doesn t matter .

I request anything from the 1st set of Aug 20 , 1987 Park city UT . A worthy of vault release set . Along with Telluride , as you posted last week . And i also recommend , listen to some Franz Schubert before or after GD . It makes for a heavenly pairing

Glad to share with my north american friends from this web page .

From Chile

Jaime Andrés G ( fastestmanalive )

In 1994 , when completing my 12th year living in the US , i acquired through Kesey products in Oregon 3 t shirts . One that had Neal cassidy s face , and said on the bottom fastestmanalive - on gray . Another that said steal your feather quite cool .

And the third was a sweet Trips festival 1966 shirt . which i wore at the 7 23 94 Chicago show - which kicked a** .

The Dead days had such awesome moments to live . More than a business , the Dead were a way of life ..
I hope there are some that still feel that way , considering the anomalous world we live in now a days . Keep the faith , that the best - as the bible says - is yet to come

Hey thanks David! didn't realize I could click on the song & it'd come up & play on my computer! Especially since I was @ those Fillmore West shows (lucky me & my friends).............Gypsy Cowgirl.........always the designated driver back then, too.....

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